§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many former Department of Energy personnel(a) have been placed on paid leave and (b) are currently on paid leave as a consequence of the incorporation of the former Department of Energy into his Department; what was the duration of paid leave which has been incurred in each case; and what is the total cost of the paid leave.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 18 November 1992]: Three members of staff from the former Department of Energy were temporarily placed on paid leave as a consequence of the merger of the Department with DTI. One remains on leave pending retirement in January. As at 30 November the duration of the paid leave was 70 working days at a total cost of £6,149.15.